No quick end to Thai martial law

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6039924.stm

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Thailand's defence minister says the state of martial law imposed after the country's recent coup should remain in place for at least another month.

Bunrod Somtad, who was sworn in with the rest of the new Cabinet on Monday, said the situation was not yet stable.

The news is unlikely to be welcomed by the international community, which has urged Thailand to lift the restrictions as soon as possible.

Martial law curbs press freedoms and limits political and public gatherings.

Foreign concerns

When the Thai military took over the country in a bloodless coup, they were broadly welcomed, especially in the capital Bangkok.

Many Thais were tired of months of political instability, and were pleased that their future now seemed clear.

But the international community was less impressed, seeing the coup as a setback to democracy.

Since the takeover, the military has been anxious to allay these concerns.

The coup leaders have pledged to step down from power after elections next October, and they have already appointed an interim prime minister and cabinet.

But Mr Bunrod has now made clear that martial law will stay in place for at least another month.

"We are not 100% confident of the current situation there is still an underwater current and some movement," he said.

Correspondents say the Thai government faces a difficult dilemma. While it wants to appease people abroad, it is also mindful that there might still be those plotting against the coup at home.

For now Mr Bunrod has decided that the best course of action is to keep the restrictions in place, but the pressure for them to be lifted is unlikely to go away.